Farmers’ tempers soar in Vanthli

TNN | Updated: Jun 5, 2018, 11:34 IST

Nayan Kalola, who is spearheading the agitation against sand mining, lying injured after being thrashed by fou...Read More

RAJKOT: The farmers’ protest against sand mining from Ojat River near Vanthli in Junagadh district turned violent on Monday after their leader was abducted, brutally thrashed and dumped by the roadside.

At least three policemen were injured in stone-pelting even as seven teargas shells were lobbed as the situation spiralled out of control. Angry farmers jammed the Rajkot-Somnath highway, burnt tyres on the road and targeted a state transport bus too. The mayhem continued for nearly two hours in the morning. Everything was normal till the morning even as the farmers’ group had given a call for Vanthli bandh on Monday to demand cancellation of leases given for sand mining from the river. However, trouble began when Nayan Kalola, a farmer leading the agitation, was abducted in full public view from the place where he was sitting on dharna by four persons who came in a car. Kalola was brutally thrashed and then dumped by the roadside near Shapar village adjoining Vanthali. As soon as news of their leader being thrashed spread, enraged farmers took the road and resorted to heavy stone-pelting. When police teams reached the spot to control the situation, the mob pelted stones on them too. A police sub-inspector and two constables suffered injuries. Police then burst seven teargas shells and resorted to lathi charge to control the situation. Vehicles between Rajkot and Somnath were stranded for a long time due to the agitation. Kalola was rushed to a private hospital in Junagadh and he is reported to have suffered a fracture in the leg and hand. The issue over sand mining has been raging in this area for quite some time now. Farmers claim that their fields have been affected due to constant digging in the river. They had represented to the mamlatdar and government geologists two months ago but to no avail. The agitation also had repercussions in Manavadar town when local Congress MLA Jawahar Chavda was detained along with 40 others. As soon as news of his detention spread, the MLA’s supporters in Manavadar took to the roads and forced closure of shops. Deputy superintendent of police, Sanjay Kharat, said that 40 persons have been arrested and booked for rioting, vandalizing government property and obstructing police from performing their duty. The complaint was lodged against a mob of 100 by B S Jadeja, police sub-inspector, Vanthli. Meanwhile, another complaint was lodged against four unidentified persons in connection with the abduction and assault on Kalola. They were booked for attempt to murder and abduction. A priest of the local Swaminarayan temple also came out in support of the farmers. Junagadh collector Dr Saurabh Parghi said that the assault on the farmer as well as the aggrieved parties is unfortunate and the guilty won’t be spared. “As far as the mining lease in question is concerned, it is legal but we will check if the rules are being followed properly or not. The issue is also pending in the high court. Nowhere in the district will illegal mining be allowed.”